In most game all the player knows how to do is to kill things. While I loved PoE1&2 I actually think there quite a bit of dissonance between gameplay systems and progression of PoEs and the narrative. For that reason I would say that Bg1&2 have “a better story” or rather that”the story is better told through the medium” even though I do fine PoEs far more interesting as a world and narrative.
For the record I don’t think Elden Ring is stronger narratively than Dark Souls - it’s pretty much the same thing, and sloppier in some aspects).
It seems to me that people really hang on lore. I do think Elden Ring has some major issues (lack of motivation for doing anything, aside from progressing). For the most part FromSoftware likes to reveal what is needed and leave the rest for those really interested. Does historical record of who Tarnished are that important? You get what you need to know in the intro and character interactions.
Not every fantasy system needs an encyclopaedic explanation of every term used and detailed history in the world. It needs to have consistency and internal logic (and that’s FromSoftware has in spades) but I don’t think it needs to explain background details to the players. I always though it always gave FS games a really mythic quality - you know, like when you read Greek myths and they resonate and ring true on a very fundamental level, while being bizarre at the same time. I don’t think Elden Ring always achieves that, but it did often enough to keep me engaged throughout and hungry to see more.
